Bills' Bay Day Gives New England Path to Top Spot - Best of NFL Week 10
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The tenth week again delivered, with a major surprise for the Bills proving the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' saying that draws so many people into the National Football League
This outcome could have created opportunities for the New England Patriots to move back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a remaining games that gives them an advantage over their 8-2 rivals
Over in the NFC the Seattle Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to set up a major confrontation next week, while our top performer is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award
The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?
Could it simply have been an emotional comedown from defeating Kansas City the previous week or something more? That's the question for the Buffalo team to address
The Bills had won seven in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were outperformed from the start as the Dolphins emerged as 30-13 winners in an eye-opening outcome - and performance
MVP quarterback Josh Allen only achieved the team's opening first down in the third quarter and first points in the fourth - admittedly the Dolphins had 10 days to get ready but it was still a massive egg produced by one of the league's top offences
Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdowns but running back De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 combined yards and two scores
Containing the league's best rushing attack was crucial too, with James Cook and teammates recording just 86 yards, their fewest of the season and just over half their 161.5-yard average
Additionally there were the three crucial turnovers, and the pair from Allen in particular. An interception in the end zone meaning a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that the Dolphins converted to a touchdown just later
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defense and Josh Allen trying to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - not the calm, disciplined, balanced Bills we've seen this year
Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the jury's out on if this is the start of something, but for the Bills they'll require an instant response in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the American Football Conference East
Spotlight - Patriots Identify Route to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the New England, they're among three different 8-2 teams in the NFL, all American Football Conference sides, but could they be the best?
One could find flaws in the Patriots, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their total 24 victories coming against opponents with a positive record - and one example was the Indianapolis defeating the Denver
Denver defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philly and are kings of the fourth-quarter while Indy can ride Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's win in Tampa Bay to their primtime win in Orchard Park appears to be a statement
Their pair of losses occurred in new head coach Mike Vrabel's first three contests, with seven consecutive wins, just like the Broncos, from that point - but defeating Mayfield after the Bucs had a week off to get ready was huge
Maye's MVP claims won't go away, and he definitely earns point for bravery after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa Bay but hanging in there to guide his team to victory
The defense is solid and rookie running back Henderson exploded on Sunday with 147 yards and two exhilerating touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - establishing himself as just the fifth runner to exceed 22mph this year on his initial touchdown
Although you can argue who 'the best' is technically, the Pats should be favorites to finish with the top record thanks to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a winning team, albeit a significant contest against the Bills
Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but the Broncos have it even tougher in the AFC West with the Chiefs to play twice, the Chargers (who might also compete for first place but encounter the same problem) and additionally the Packers on the fixture list
The Indianapolis also face the Kansas City, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two matchups with the five and four Jaguars to face. There's a considerable distance to travel but the door is available for a shock number one position in the American Football Conference
Coming Up - Rams & Seahawks Set for Week 11 Showdown
Two teams with solid claims to be superior to all of the three eight and two teams are National Football Conference West opponents the Seahawks and Rams, who both put up 40 burgers to reach seven and two ahead of the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the two in LA
They've both secured four victories in a row, have quarterbacks in Stafford and Sam Darnold playing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on game day) with top receivers, and defenses allowing under 20 points a game
Both could easily be without a loss as well - particularly the Los Angeles as their pair of losses came in overtime against the 49ers and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play deflected and returned by the Eagles for a touchdown
The Seahawks were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in week one, before falling to the final play of the game against the Tampa Bay - so they're genuinely two of the top teams in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year so far
Player of the Week - Jonathan Taylor
Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - running for 244 yards, scoring three touchdowns and contributing an additional forty-two {receiving yards